NCDMB Initiates “Back To The Creeks” Scheme To Empower Oil Communities
In a move aimed at empowering the locals in oil bearing communities, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is initiating a scheme code-named “back to the creeks.”
The scheme, according to the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, will be launched on a soon to be announced date. He made this known during an engagement with media executives in Lagos.
While speaking on the gains of the implementation of the local contents directive given by the federal government, he said the policy would take the impact and contribution of local content implementation to oil producing communities and other hinterlands across the country.
He also said the implantation of the local contents policy had eliminated middlemen from the oil and gas industry value chain and contributed to shortening the oil industry contracting cycle to six months.
He noted that NCDMB had complied fully with the Presidential Directive on Local Content Compliance Requirements, 2024 (EO 41), which sought to ensure that only local service companies that have domiciled proven capacities and capabilities can participate in oil and gas tenders.
He also indicated that NCDMB has reduced its touch points and fast-tracked projects approval processes, in compliance with the Presidential Directive on Reduction of Petroleum Sector Contracting Costs and Timelines, 2024 (EO 42).
Responding to questions, the NCDMB boss dismissed insinuations that local content implementation increased the cost of producing crude oil in Nigeria, saying that the major drivers of increased cost of crude oil production were downtime and disruptions in operations caused by community issues or technical problems, apart from the cost of providing security and the activities of those he called briefcase contractors.
On the Board’s strategies for enabling growth of the industry, Ogbe stated that NCDMB was working intently to create an enabling environment for international oil companies to take final investment decisions for new projects and was evolving policies to support indigenous oil and gas service companies.
He appreciated the media for projecting the activities and programmes of the board and assured that cooperation with the media would be deepened under his leadership.
General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, Mr. Esueme Dan Kikile, in his remarks said the breakfast meeting was organised to introduce the Executive Secretary formally to leading media stakeholders.
Other senior management of NCDMB that attended the breakfast meeting included the Director Corporate Services and Capacity Building, Dr. Ama Ikuru; Director Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu; Director Projects Certification and Authorization, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele and Director, Legal Services, Mr. Naboth Onyesoh, Esq.
In his comments, Director Corporate Services and Capacity Building, charged media stakeholders to report Nigeria in a positive light, to attract investments in the oil and gas sector.
The Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu gave an update on the performance of the Nigerian Content Intervention Fund (NCI Fund). He rated the Fund’s performance as over 90%, judging by the percentage of access by qualified companies and repayment by the borrowers.
Also speaking, Director, Legal Services, Mr. Naboth Onyesoh commended the media for their support to the Board over the years, which increased the visibility and public awareness of the Board’s functions and achievements.
